38 people linked to scam placed on ‘lookout bulletin’

MANUEL AMALILIO: Suspected mastermind disappears. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines  — The Bureau of Immigration  issued a lookout bulletin on Friday for 38 persons linked to a  multi-billion-peso pyramid scam that victimized more than 15,000 people in Mindanao and the Visayas.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said he instructed immigration officers across the country to be on the lookout for the executives and directors of Aman Futures Group Phils., Inc. who allegedly milked their victims of as much as P12 billion.

However, David noted that in the absence of an arrest warrant or hold departure order from the courts, immigration officers cannot prevent those on the lookout bulletin from leaving the country.

“If anyone of them is seen leaving the country, we can only report their departure to the Department of Justice for monitoring purposes but we cannot prevent them from leaving without a warrant or HDO from the court,” David said.

The persons named on lookout bulletin were Manuel Amalilio, Fernando “Nonoy” Luna, Lelian Lim Gan, Eduard L. Lim, William L. Fuentes, Naezelle M. Rodriguez, Lurix Lopez, Prescilla Ann F. Co, Nimfa Luna, Rico Medina, Dhurwin Wenceslao, Reggie Luna, Araceli Pasco, Marilou Caballero, Shiela Luna Lasaca, Alfredo Aspira, P02 Ariel Real, Ernesto Luna, P03 Rey “Tata”Chang, Edward Amao, Maria Donna Coyme, Araceli Pasco Julian, Darwin Luna, Toto Caballero, Amay Caballero, Eric Lasaca, Judy Amarao, Edna Dalena, Dickens Dalena, Eva Dalena, Isojo K. Casil, Edna Caballero, Patrick V. Ceniza , Diosdado M. Mag-aso, Frederick M. Mag-aso, Leonita Duhaylungsod, Angelo Duhaylungsod and Roger Tenajeros.

David said only a judge can issue an arrest warrant or HDO against the suspects but prosecutors have yet to indict them in court.

The National Bureau of Investigation filed complaints the 38 at the prosecutor’s office in Pagadian City three weeks ago, he added.

David said that the 32-year-old Manuel Amalilio, Amman ’s founder and reportedly a  Filipino of Malaysian descent, has left the country for Sabah , Malaysia . His Malaysian name is Mohammad Suffian Saaid.

Although the Philippines has no extradition treaty with Malaysia, the Department of Justice said it will seek the help of International Criminal Police Organization to capture Amalilio and the others involved in the scam, David said.